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Gretsch Winterland Festival Express

I was just watching the documentary Festival Express about the 1970's Canadian Tour that included some of San Francisco's finest. I started thinking that a year is a long time to wait for another Gold Rush Roundup. Why not book a train car from Roseville to Reno in the middle of winter. Acoustics, battery operated amps, a little bottled brain fuel. Could be a lot of fun. Reno and back over the snow covered Sierras.

Well, I like the idea, although I am not sure how it would work logistically on a public train. But I really like that you enjoyed the Roundup so much that you want everyone to get together again soon. And I really like that you are thinking outside the box.

The ultimate train trip, albeit very expensive, would be to hold it on the Rocky Mountaineer leaving Seattle, stopping in Vancouver and then through the Canadian Rockies to either Jasper or Banff, Alberta. Ranked as the #1 first class train tour in the world.

Of course we'd have to convince them to give us a secluded area to our 'thing', but it's just a thought. Or start at Toronto and take the other famous Canadian cross-country train the Canadiana to Vancouver.

Now THAT would be memorable! Here's one of many YouTube clips about this fabulous train.

True, and there are some nice ones restored. Best of all would be that 4-8-8-4 Union Pacific Big Boy #3985, seen rolling through Nebraska in this video as recent as 9 years ago. Would like to see a filter to cut down on some of that thick smoke though.

11
1 year ago

As I type this,we are eating our breakfast in a really old train station in Nashville. Love your idea!

True, and there are some nice ones restored. Best of all would be that 4-8-8-4 Union Pacific Big Boy #3985, seen rolling through Nebraska in this video as recent as 9 years ago. Would like to see a filter to cut down on some of that thick smoke though.

– Windsordave

Well, that's the problem with steam, isn't it? I'd prefer electric, like a GG-1 or an Uncle Joe, but there aren't catenary lines across the country. N&W's J611 would be my choice for steam.